Question

Which particles in the atom are referred to as mucleons?

Short answer

The particles in the atom referred to as nucleons are protons and neutrons, as these are the particles that reside in the atomic nucleus and contribute to the atomic mass. Both have a mass of approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu) and are held together by the nuclear force. Protons carry a positive charge, while neutrons are neutral (no charge).

Step-by-step solution

Introduction to atomic structure

An atom is made up of a nucleus in the center, which contains two types of particles, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. The particles found in the nucleus are the ones referred to as nucleons.

Nucleons definition

Nucleons are particles that reside in the atomic nucleus. There are two types of nucleons: protons and neutrons. Both these particles contribute to the mass of an atom and are held together by the nuclear force.

Identifying nucleons

In an atom, the particles that are referred to as nucleons are: 1. Protons: They are positively charged particles found in the nucleus. Their mass is approximately 1 atomic mass unit (amu). 2. Neutrons: They are neutral particles (no charge) also found in the nucleus. Their mass is approximately 1 amu as well. Thus, nucleons include both protons and neutrons.

Key concepts

Nucleons: The Core Particles in the Atom

In the world of atomic chemistry, nucleons are significant components within an atom. Both protons and neutrons found in the atomic nucleus are collectively known as nucleons. These particles are vital as they contribute primarily to the atom's mass. Protons and neutrons stick together in the nucleus thanks to a strong force called the nuclear force.
This force effectively binds all the nucleons together despite the electric repulsion between positively charged protons. To summarize,

• Nucleons reside in the atomic nucleus.
• They include both protons and neutrons.
• Nucleons help determine the atomic mass.

Protons: The Positive Charges of the Nucleus

Protons are one of the two types of nucleons. These particles are positively charged, and it is this charge that fundamentally defines them. Despite having the same mass as neutrons (\(1\text{ amu}\)), their positive charge is vital to the atom's identity and its electrical properties.
i.e. the number of protons in an atom determines its element on the periodic table. For example, hydrogen with one proton is different from helium which has two.Here are key points about protons:

• Protons are positively charged.
• Their mass is approximately 1 amu.
• They define the element's identity and its atomic number.

Neutrons: The Neutral Team Members

Neutrons play a slightly different role from protons. Although they share a similar mass with protons (\(1\text{ amu}\)), neutrons have no electrical charge. This neutrality enables them to help stabilize the nucleus by balancing the electrostatic repulsion between protons.
Due to this role, neutrons are crucial since variations in the number of neutrons lead to different isotopes of an element.Key characteristics of neutrons:

• Neutrons carry no charge (neutral).
• They weigh approximately 1 amu.
• Neutrons are essential for nuclear stability and creating isotopes.